"As of Sunday, October 31st and after much thought, we have decided to close Restaurant Bloom," wrote the owners in their message to the public. "Sorry for the short notice, we just wanted to end quietly and without fuss. We thank you all for your support over the last few years. Please, no need for anyone to say they are sorry, sometimes things just need to change, and all of us here are ready for change."

Before moving downtown in early November 2007, the restaurant was located at 962 Cherry St. SE. The Monroe location offered a larger space and came with a liquor license -- that previously belonged to the now defunct Cafe Solace -- and which is tied to the downtown area.

"There have been lots of discussions over the past months in an effort to help Bloom," Kurt Hassberger said in an email. The Rockford Construction executive is one of eight investors -- along with Mike Mraz and Ginny Seyferth -- in Monroe Center Retail LLC which owns the building.

"It is a great restaurant," Hassberger said. "It is our hope that they can reopen under a new format in the near future."

Miller also serves as the executive chef of Corez Wine Bar, at 919 Cherry Street.
Gwen has served as Corez's pastry chef.